The women's 4x400 relay team also rewrote the VU record book with a big time effort, winning their race with a program-best time of 3:53.93. The quarter of Nohemi Anderson (JR/El Centro, CA), Eryn Burke, Jordyn Burke (SO/Yucaipa, CA) and Elizabeth Betten (FR/Yucaipa, CA) also covered the NAIA "A" qualifying standard for nationals.
Jordyn Burke also had a productive afternoon individually for the women. She won the 60 meters in 7.82 seconds and finished second in the 200 meters with a time of 25.74 seconds. She is now tied for fourth all-time at VU in the 60 and moved into ninth in the 200.
Betten, who finished third in the 200 meters (25.90), posted the 10th-best time in school history.
Olivia Finch (FR/Heppner, OR) made her Blue and Gold debut and did not disappoint in the 600 meters. She finished second overall in 1:44.35, which ushered her into eighth on the VU all-time top-10 list.
The 1000 meters saw another Lion finishing first as Kate Baranski (SO/El Cajon, CA) won in 3:06.88. That was the sixth-fastest time at VU in the event's history.
Baranski joined forces with Jessina Morales (SO/Lake Elsinore, CA), Karla Sanchez-Ruiz (SO/Los Angeles, CA) and Bella Nelson (SO/Carlsbad, CA) to win the 4x800 relay in 9:56.97.
The field events yielded some strong performances on the women's side as well. Jaelah Butler (SR/La Quinta, CA) captured gold in the shot put (40-00.50), moving her into third on the top-10 chart. Butler also was the winner in the weight throw (13.23m).
Kaylee Jones (SO/Redding, CA) finished second in the weight throw (12.48m) with her mark good for fourth in VU annals.
Faith Hunt (JR/Yorba Linda, CA) was victorious in two events, posting marks of 15-04.75 in the long jump and 32-03.50 in the triple jump.
Kudos also were in order for Morales, who raced to victory in the 1 mile run with a time of 5:28.12, ninth-best on the VU all-time top-10 list. Julianna Holm (SO/Escondido, CA) stood atop the podium in the high jump, clearing 5-00.50.
On the men's side, Chase Mars (SO/Chino Hills, CA) started his sophomore season on great terms as the winner both the 60 and 200 meters. He finished in 6.95 seconds in the 60 and 21.82 seconds in the 200. Mars registered an NAIA "B" standard performance in the 200.
Evan Hernandez (SO/Menifee, CA) competed in the 3000 meters and came in second overall with a time of 8:49.00. That also entered him into the 10th spot on the VU all-time list.
The 4x400 relay team of Aaron Solorzano (FR/El Centro, CA), Justin Ramirez (SO/Alta Loma, CA), Mars and Isaiah Feaver (FR/Redding, CA) took second place in 3:30.31.
Two Lions also competed in the heptathlon and posted program top-10 efforts. Chris Watson (JR/Hesperia, CA) finished with 4,189 points to reach third on the list, while Blake Rodriguez (SR/Yucaipa, CA) ended up sixth after collecting 3,384 points.
Watson's 60 meter hurdle showing in the heptathlon – 8.60 seconds – positioned him fourth on the VU all-time list.
Penelopi Leach (JR/Madera, CA), who competed in the pentathlon and finished second with 2,883 points, won the 60 meter hurdles in 9.55 seconds. That time ranked her second in VU history.
What Was Said?: "Our athletes performed at a very high level today for the first meet of the season," said Head Coach Bryan Wilkins. "They also brought great energy supporting their teammates with enthusiasm and affirmations all throughout the day. We're very proud of this team and close relationships that are forming."
